Hero defies doctors and takes on Everest challenge

A former soldier told by doctors he may never walk again is preparing to go on an expedition to Everest. Iraq veteran Andy Zallmann will scale part of Mount Everest in November. The 41-year-old suffered a serious back injury after a car crash while on service with the Royal Fusiliers in 1995.

A former soldier told by doctors he may never walk again is preparing to go on an expedition to Everest.

Iraq veteran Andy Zallmann will scale part of Mount Everest in November.

The 41-year-old suffered a serious back injury after a car crash while on service with the Royal Fusiliers in 1995.

And after a recurrence of the injury last year doctors told Andy he needed a crucial operation and had to change his active lifestyle – or face life in a wheelchair.

Following painful surgery the fitness fan stopped running and playing football.

But determined to keep in shape he set himself the challenge of walking up to Mount Everest base camp to raise money for Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT) where he volunteers as a mentor. Andy, of Shawclough, said: "I was meant to be in hospital for a couple of weeks after my operation last year, but was out after a few days.

"It was then that I decided that I wanted to do something so set myself the challenge.

"I have been going to the gym to train but because I cannot do impact sports I have not been able to do any running.

"It is going to be painful to a degree as I am in constant pain anyway."